Training Tips - Teach, Don’t Punish

Our biggest fear of adopting a dog is that the family hits or kicks the dog when it misbehaves.  This is unacceptable.  Training a dog takes a lot of patience and consistency.  Teach them, don't punish them and NEVER use your hands or your feet to correct a dog.  That's a STRONG NEVER.
 
Startle them: Your goal is to interrupt the behavior.  Show them what they should do and not just what they shouldn't do. For example: if the dog has a shoe...take the shoe from the dog and put it on the ground next to him.  Get one of his favorite toys and give it to him and say "Good".  If he goes for the shoe, give him a firm "NO or LEAVE IT" and then give him the toy again and say "Good".  Continue this until he gets it.  Keep the shoe there and watch him.  If you leave the room, pick up the shoe.  .
 
Use a spray bottle - Always correct a dog from a distance.  Spray the dog in the eyeballs with water if they are misbehaving (barking, snarling at the cat, etc.)
 
Startle - Use a can with pennies in it.  Most dogs do not like this sound.  When they are doing something you don't like, shake the can or throw it in their direction (never at them).  Notice i said 'doing' and not 'did'?  You can not correct the dog if you did not see them 'doing it'.
 
Clap your hands, stop your foot and say "NO" at the same time.  If they stop doing the behavior, then praise them and say "good".
 
Leash them - "Umbilical" them to you in the house.  Supervision is very important and if they are not physically attached to you, you are not watching them closely enough.